Tag Archives: diabetes commercials

Well, it’s here. It’s November 1st. It’s the beginning of Diabetes Awareness Month. My article today is going to be very short. This month is not for you or for me. We ARE AWARE ALREADY of diabetes. I do not choose this month to celebrate that my kids CHOOSE to live a great life with this stupid disease. We DO THAT all year round.

NO.

This is Diabetes Awareness Month….to make people…….aware. THAT SHOULD BE your single focus this month. To do something so those outside our community are made aware of what diabetes is and in fact, why not take a poster from BeyondType1.org or GetDiabetesRight.org and place them up in your community.

We are aware already, touting what we know can be a large dose of spent energy. Just Don’t Do Nothing this month of Diabetes Awareness……..do something so another does not die from being misdiagnosed. Do something so someone says, “Oh, that is the difference between T1D and T2D.” Do something and post in a social media site, THAT IS NOT part of the diabetes community.

Most of us dealing with in a loved one, or dealing with it as a person with diabetes…….WE KNOW. This month, share something with those who do not and it will be a true Diabetes Awareness Month.

Diabetes is what they have, not who they are. Let others know the difference.
I am a DiabetesDad.
Please visit my Diabetes Dad FB Page and hit ‘like’.

It’s not only his unquenchable thirst to succeed; it’s not only his drive to win; it’s not even his incredible relationship with the folks at Lilly Diabetes that keeps so many pulling for him—-it’s the way; at every turn (pun intended) Ryan Reed grabs the spotlight by the ears and points it at himself for, but, one reason. In his words, “….not only to drive…..but more importantly, the opportunity to encourage and educate people who are living with diabetes and those who care for them. We will continue to share the message about diabetes awareness……”

Inspirational. Educational. Directly, with humility and charm.

THIS is why Ryan Reed is a hero…….big time. And every time I’m with him, and his family, I feel like I’m just a friend of his mom’s—-because, you see, that’s how the Reeds make you feel; like you are part of their family.

But make no mistake about it, when Ryan climbs into that #16 car with the words LILLY DIABETES on the hood in big letters——-IT-IS-ALL-BUSINESS. And that business will take Ryan Reed this weekend to a place that no one has ever gone before as he makes history as the ONLY DRIVER actively managing diabetes to race at the Sprint Cup Level.

This, a young man who was told just five years ago after his diagnosis of T1D, that he would never race again. To Ryan, his mom, his dad……THAT was just unacceptable. And Ryan takes every chance he can to take the opportunity so kids know what he has learned; diabetes should stop them………………from nothing.

He doesn’t just say it…….he lives it…………and at 200 plus miles per hour.

After an incredibly close call last week…..Ryan has rebounded, ONCE AGAIN, to show the world that his diabetes IS NOT WHO he is.

The leading team of racing, Roush Fenway Racing has just signed a multi-year renewal agreement for Ryan to continue with them behind the wheel…..and now, in addition to the Xfinity Series; he is entering the NASCAR SPRINT SERIES.

He not only took the Xfinity Race in Daytona just over a year ago, not only qualified for the 2016 inaugural Xfinity Series Chase, now he enters the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series as well. Race car driving is, indeed, like dancing with a buzz saw. Ryan is at a trajectory of success which inspires everyone living with diabetes and a whole bunch of us who don’t. Breathtaking to say the least.

Best of luck to Ryan, his family and to Lilly Diabetes who is the driving engine (pun intended again) to making it all happen as Ryan’s Sponsor.

The blue candle. Lit so many times, and I would dare say the most amount of times, has been when the diagnosis of diabetes was missed. We have talked about it a million times.

We have also talked about the idea of corporate America backing diabetes causes. Well now the two things we have wished for; stopping kids from dying—and corporate America being part in the diabetes community are on a main roadway to become one……and this diabetes cause needs out help.

You may know some things about BeyondType1.org but what I am pretty sure the masses DO NOT know is that I have been in the room with Tom and Sarah (a mom to a T1D) from this organization, I have seen anger in their faces and tears in their eyes.
And through all of that Sarah has stated to me; “We pledge to help make a difference in this battle”.

With an awareness campaign that we could have only dreamed of, they are going into organizations state-by-state with other moms, with an awareness campaign we could have only dreamed of when we started this battle. With their membership, their ‘funky’-sort-of-style, their celebrity connections, they are utilizing everything they have to make amazing inroads. Sarah, was, and has been, true to her word. BeyondTyoe1.org is working diligently to end this; but it takes a lot.

And now they are positioned to be given 1 million dollars from Revlon.ONE MILLION DOLLARS.But they need out help. They have pledged to continue this fight and it can get expensive. We wanted corporations to be involved…..well BeyondType1.org went out and is trying to get them involved BIG TIME. There is this competition challenge thrown out by Revlon called The Revlon, Love is on, One Million Dollar Challenge. Over 100 charities are vying for 1 million dollars….whoever raises the most amount of money by time this contest ends this in the next week is given 1 million dollars by Revlon.

It looks like, right now, our friends at Beyond Type1 are third in this race with over $313,000 raised—–and they are not far behind number one which is at about $360,000. Let’s help Beyond Type 1 continue to help our battle against the missed diagnosis of T1D. Posters, outreach, printing all costs money—-they have put celebs behind this effort as well…..they are really trying to help, lets help them as they are already knee-deep in the efforts of making sure not one more child dies from this disease not being diagnosed.

Their efforts have been monumental.

Did you light a blue candle? Did you cry? DId you get angry? If many people give a little, BeyondType1 will catch up and become the number one spot. I get it; we are all involved with many wonderful organizations; but if ever this effort meant something and tugged at your heart, please find a few bucks to help them—–we all talk about it ALL THE TIME why is not the diabetes community involved ‘in something like that”? Well now a member of our diabetes community is not INVOLVED IN SOMETHING LIKE THAT, they are positioned to win the entire thing with our help. Let’s give and help an organization that so wants to eradicate kids dying from missed diagnosis. You cared enough to cry, please care enough to give.

Does it not seem like 1 in every 5 commercials these days is about some sort of diabetes med? Is it just me? This is America and surely any and all companies are free to do what they want with their money………..but…….

…….BUT……….

I have a suggestions for all those who take to the airwaves hawking their wares. Maybe not a suggestion, maybe more like an ask, Why not take just 10% of your airtime and offer it for some sort of diabetes education. Here are a few ideas:
>Differences in T1 and T2
>Kids with diabetes…..are still just kids (bullying)
>We need a cure
>Highlight an organization (DRI, JDRF, ADA, Beyond Type 1, dPac, Diabetes Sisters, Hands Foundation, Help a Diabetic Child, Divabetic—all different-all good…..and THAT is just the tip of the iceberg)
>Different management options
>Where to get help
>……and the list can go on.

Imagine doing this….you surely can take the last 5 seconds of the spot….”This ad was paid for by XYZ Company…….because we care about the people we serve.” We, in this diabetes community spend BILLIONS of dollars each year buying products—-should they now be able to give back, shouldn’t they WANT TO give back to those who support their product?

Imagine.

To all of you:—-I challenge you to find the name of a CEO of the any diabetes companies out there…..and send this to them. If they need help, I will gladly help them.
Why not I say, why not?
I am a DiabetesDad.
Please visit my Diabetes Dad FB Page and hit ‘like’.

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Disclaimer

This is my blog. I am not a medical professional and any medical written word is read somewhere else and will be credited accordingly. There is no substitution for YOUR medical team. I am not paid for what is written on this blog.